First off – the DVD: It’s a letterbox transfer of pristine fresh print that has been digitally restored (sometimes frame by frame) support to its modern condition. Comic Girl hasn’t looked this fine in thirty years – so if you’ve only seen it on VHS or TV, you’re in for a visual treat. I saw the restored print on a sizable cloak this past drop, and acquire me, this transfer does it justice. In addition they have included the pre-show and intermission music as well. The additional documentary material is nothing to write home about. But I assume whoever did the DVD menu deserves kudos for styling it like the Original Amsterdam theater marquee from the first shot of the movie, with highlights from the film playing in the background. Very appropriate and very clever.

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Funny Girl is A.) the musical biography of comedienne-singer Fanny Brice, and B.) the Oscar-winning film debut of 26 year veteran Barbra Streisand. As theatrical history lesson it’s dazzling flawed – (Arnstein was Brice’s *second* husband, for example) . The Streisand – Brice connection is strong, however. Fanny, like Barbra, wore her Jewishness as a badge of honor – in difference to most Jewish performers of the day, who tried to blend in as grand as possible. As a matter of fact, the “You Are Woman, I Am Man” seduction scene plays like a Brice “Follies” sketch.

And as a star vehicle for Striesand, it’s a winner. “I’m the Greatest Star” at the beginning of the narrate is an electrifying jolt of raw, pure talent. At the raze of them film when she falters on the opening words of “My Man”, you’ll remember what it feels like to explore your beloved jog out of your life.

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William Wyer seems to be aware that he’s launching a unique star. The plan he introduces Barbra – that long chase with her succor to the camera in the leopard coat – ending with the first teasing seek of her face in the mirror – “Hello, delicate.” It was a closeup that many film folk were obvious would have audiences recoiling in scare. Certainly dreary looking Barbra couldn’t develop it as a movie star. Well, it’s not news anymore but it turns out that Barbra photographs beautifully. Even Barbra-hater Rex Reed had to admit at the time, “It took the combined efforts of God knows how many people to do it, but I’ll be damned if they haven’t made her splendid!”

Omar Sharif plays opposite Barbra, and he holds up his slay of the film nicely, no miniature feat when you assume that the script gives him microscopic to do and the entire property has been tailored to Streisand’s strengths. No one else registers, with the possible exception of Kay Medford as Fanny’s mother. (Awful Anne Francis sued Columbia after the film was released, claiming Streisand had her nick out of the finished film. Most of you are sitting there thinking, “Anne, who? “)

All in all, one of the better Sixties Broadway musical adaptations. (Note: Humorous Girl was nominated for Best Relate in 1968. It lost to another Columbia Pictures musical – Oliver! If you liked Amusing Girl, check out Oliver! – it’s a better movie, even though it has no star names over the title. More 1968 Oscar trivia – Barbra won for Best Actress in a tie with Kathrine Hepburn of “Lion in Winter”. In Oscar balloting there can only be a tie when there are the loyal same number of votes. Why do I mention this? Well, it objective so happens that because of her “special stature” in the industry, Barbra Streisand was admitted as a voting member of the Academy that year – with the release of unprejudiced her first film. I wonder who she voted for???? If she hadn’t been given special treatment, maybe Kate Hepburn’s name would had been the only one announced that night!)

Wow. One usually becomes a Streisand fan after seeing this movie. I certainly did. Streisand’s movie debut begs the question: “Is a nose with deviation such a crime against the nation? ” (sung by Fanny Brice’s mother in the film) . Barbra is Fanny is Barbra. When Streisand as Fanny tells Omar Shariff as Lop that he made her feel “pretty”, who can not esteem this woman?

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The unique DVD includes a restored version of the film and an incredibly obvious soundtrack. Unless you saw the microscopic theatrical release this summer, then you have probably never seen Comic GIRL in its widescreen presentation. For years I had watched a former pan-and-scan VHS version. Barbra’s hilarious business of straightening her dress in the “You Are Woman” scene is completely gash out in pan-and-scan! Director William Wyler shot the film with a lot of widescreen compositions that the pan-and-scan versions always butchered. Thank you, Columbia, for this restored, widescreen DVD!

I remember watching THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT and seeing highlight clips from noted musicals. They showed “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from Amusing GIRL …Barbra on the tug boat holding that mark (“Paa-aa-raaaaaad-de”) as the camera revealed the Statue of Liberty. I was thrilled. The DVD contains a theatrical short that shows leisurely the scenes footage of how they shot the entire “Parade” number — really wonderful footage!

The movie’s second act, a bit tiresome, gives Streisand the chance to reveal her acting chops!

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“My Man” at the movie’s waste features a “live” Streisand vocal as she cries on stage then triumphantly finishes. That scene won Barbra the Oscar. It is truly astounding.

I am disappointed that the DVD did not include more of the scenes I’ve always heard about but never seen. The AFI tribute (on ABC earlier this year) remains the only status you can gape scenes from the Swan Ballet number that were cleave. Also, I wish there was a Streisand commentary. Can you imagine the reflections about making this film that she could portion?

People who gape Laughable GIRL are the luckiest people in the world.
Colon Cleansing